Artist’s impression of Moors Murderer Ian Brady, who went before a mental health tribunal in the years before his death

The infamous child murderer, who had been getting round-the-clock care from cancer nurses, reportedly refused to show any remorse for his crimes in the hours before his death.

Family lawyer John Ainley told Good Morning Britain: “The police spoke to me in the course of the evening, and they were trying to have access to his papers.

“That’s difficult without consent from his solicitors and a court order. They (the police) were trying, I think, to implore Brady at this very late stage to pass on any information or documents to them so they could carry out a meaningful search of the Moors.”

Keith Bennett was murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley on June 16, 1964 and his body has never been found

Ian Brady took location of Keith Bennett's body on Saddleworth Moor to the grave

He said both he and Alan had written to Brady in an attempt to get more information about what happened to Keith, but said he believed the "manipulative and controlling" killer instead "wanted to take this information to the grave".

He said: "The only hope is that he's passed information documents to his representatives and in the weeks to come, something will emerge but I don't the family have any great confidence in that."

Brady's own lawyer Robin Makin revealed he would be "very surprised" if the killer left any useful information about where Keith's body was, telling Radio 4: "He did go to the Moors a long time ago and I suspect that if there had been information for him that he could have provided, he would have provided it then."

He said he didn't personally have any information that could assist in the search for Keith, saying that he instead discussed Brady's legal wishes and funeral arrangements, with the killer aware that his death was "imminent".

The family of Keith Bennett have never given up the search through Saddleworth Moor for the young boy, who was snatched while on his way to his grandmother's house on June 16, 1964.

Cops have also vowed to not close the case into Keith's death, saying Brady's death would not change that.

Brother of Ian Brady victim John Kilbride speaking before Moors murderer's death

Brady's final insult to his victim's family comes after a source revealed the upset around the murderer's own death, saying: "He was allowed to die with dignity, something he failed to offer his poor victims.”

The brother of Ian Brady victim John Kilbride last night told The Sun he felt “numb” when he heard the Moors Murderer had finally joined accomplice Myra Hindley in hell.

Terry Kilbride, 63, said: “It’s a lot to take in. It’s been years and years of anguish and pain for us and the families of the victims.

“But nothing will change. He’s dead but we will have to still live with the nightmare that he left behind.

“He’s ruined our lives all these years and he’ll still ruin it even though he’s gone. I feel numb.

“He was a murderous psychopath. There are no other words to describe what he was. A ­complete lunatic. Good riddance.

“I don’t drink, but I’ll have a pint.”

A spokesman for the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital has died after becoming physically unwell."

Brady was not found dead in his room in the Merseyside unit, the spokesman said, but he was unable to confirm if anyone was with him when he died, adding: "Quite possibly. I don't know."

The crimes of Brady and Myra Hindley - who died in prison in 2002 - shocked the nation as details of how the pair snatched children off the street, abused and tortured them to death were recalled during their trial at Chester Assizes.

Family lawyer of Ian Brady victim Keith Bennett says they're hopeful of new info after killer's death